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Hip fracture patients are not treated for osteoporosis: a call to action
J Timothy Harrington1, Susan B Broy, Angela M Derosa
1University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. harrington@uwmf.wisc.edu
Objective:
To determine whether hip fracture patients, a group at very high risk for additional fragility fractures, are being evaluated and treated effectively for osteoporosis.
Methods:
Clinical and bone densitometry (dual x-ray absorptiometry [DXA]) records were reviewed in hip fracture patients at 4 Midwestern US health systems to determine the frequency of DXA use, calcium and vitamin D supplementation, and antiresorptive drug treatment.
Results:
DXA was performed at the 4 study sites in only 12%, 12%, 13%, and 24% of patients, respectively. Calcium and vitamin D supplements were prescribed in 27%, 1%, 3%, and 25% of the patients at the 4 study sites. Antiresorptive drugs were prescribed in 26%, 12%, 7%, and 37% of the patients with only 2-10% receiving a bisphosphonate.
Conclusion:
Reducing osteoporotic fractures will require more effective approaches to managing hip fracture patients and other high-risk populations.
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